Iceland is unquestionably one of the best places in the world to hike, where every trail offers a journey as breathtaking as the destination.
From the mystical, remote paths of the north to the dramatic, awe-inspiring landscapes of the south, Iceland’s hiking trails cater to adventurers of all levels, whether you prefer a leisurely stroll or a more challenging trek.
With this in mind, we have put together a collection of our favourite hiking trails in Iceland, organised by region, each promising a truly unforgettable adventure into nature.
Where are the best hiking trails in Iceland?
The best hiking trails in Iceland are scattered across the country, but some of our favourites include sections of the Laugavegur Trail, the Reykjanes Peninsula Trails, and the Hveradalir Hiking Trail in Kerlingarfjöll and of course the immersive glacier hikes in the Vatnajökull National Park. But there are many others that showcase Iceland’s natural beauty, as we outline below, going from north to south.
Hiking in Northern Iceland
We begin our journey in North Iceland, home to some of the country’s most spectacular and challenging hiking trails. While many visitors spend days trekking across this remote landscape, at Hidden Iceland we’ve crafted a way to experience the highlights in just one unforgettable day.
With the help of 4×4 superjeeps, and expert local guides, we’ve trimmed the spectacular multi-day Öskjuvegur route, or Askja Trail, as it’s also known, into an exhilarating adventure that culminates in a hike around the awe-inspiring Askja crater.
The beauty of this region lies in its remoteness. Few tourists travel this far, as the weather is unpredictable and shelter is scarce. But for those who do, the reward is immense. Standing on the edge of the Askja crater, you’ll feel as though you’ve been transported to another planet. In fact, you wouldn’t be far off, as in the 1960s NASA used this very terrain to prepare astronauts for their first steps on the moon.
For safety reasons, the trail is accessible only during the summer months for normal 4×4 vehicles, so make sure you book your trip accordingly. In winter, you can arrange a superjeep tour with some our local friends in the area.
But the Askja Trail is just the beginning. Northern Iceland offers a variety of hiking trails across diverse landscapes. The Hverfjall Crater, for example, is a 3 km walk around the rim of an inactive volcano, offering panoramic views of the stunning Lake Mývatn. One of the best rewards of hiking trails in Iceland is that at the end of your trek, you can unwind with a relaxing dip in the natural hot springs.
If you’re interested in seeing spectacular scenery, embracing Icelandic culture, and even enjoying a spot of whale watching, then the Arctic Coast Way or the Diamond Circle both include amazing hiking opportunities, with many of our guests siting the trails around the Ásbyrgi Canyon being a highlight.
The best part of these hikes are their adaptability. Whether you want to go wildlife spotting, with seals and puffins aplenty, or savour local delicacies like freshly caught Arctic char, Hidden Iceland can handpick your journey to include the perfect places that match your pace.
Hiking trails in Iceland’s Eastfjords
A hidden gem, Borgarfjörður Eystri is hiking heaven, with trails that connect remote fjords to old farms and offer a rich glimpse into the country’s cultural history. It is also one of the best places to see puffins, particularly at Hafnarhólmi harbour, where these beautiful birds gather during the summer months.
Elsewhere in the Eastfjords, the Dyrfjöll mountain range literally translates to “mountain door.” There is a dramatic and distinct gap between the two peaks that seems to invite you into another world, which explains why the Eastfjords have inspired so much folklore.
As you hike through the surreal landscape of Stórurð, with boulders the size of buildings beside the bluest water you’ve ever seen, you’ll believe anything is possible.
And our very own travel expert Dr. Holly Spring agrees.
“My favorite place to explore is Eastfjords for its majestic mountain and fjords scenery, unlimited hiking opportunities, often better weather and its end of the world feeling away from most other tourists.”
Book your luxury hiking trip with Hidden Iceland today, and we’ll craft an itinerary that lets you discover sights beyond your imagination.
Hiking in the Golden Circle
Few countries offer the chance to explore a geothermal valley on foot, and even fewer let you soothe your body in hot springs afterward. The Golden Circle’s proximity to Reykjavík makes this an easily accessible yet still spectacular hiking option, where you can pair the country’s natural wonders with convenience.
At Gullfoss Waterfall, a short easy trail leads to viewing platforms that offer postcard-perfect vistas from above, and from closer up, you can feel the power of the falling water on your face.
Elsewhere along the Golden Circle, the Haukadalur geothermal valley features well-maintained trails that take you past Geysir and Strokkur, two of the country’s most famous bubbling vents. Unlike many other hikes, this one is accessible year-round and quite easy, depending on how far through the loop you want to venture.
But for many, the multiple trails around the Þingvellir National Park will be the highlight of their hiking options for the day, with many trails leading you, literally, into the cracks and fissures that were forged due to the movement of tectonic plates under the ground. For Game of Thrones fans, this area was heavily used in some of the latter seasons.
Hiking in the South Coast
There are many magically immersive hiking trails in Iceland’s south coast that are included as part of our Hidden Escapes: Tailor-Made Iceland Hiking Retreat. The short Seljalandsfoss loop is awe-inspiring from afar, but even more magical up close as the waterfall roars and glitters in the sun.
The loop takes you around cascading waterfalls, and in the summer, you can even walk behind Seljalandsfoss waterfall itself. It feels like stepping behind the curtain at a magic show, experiencing the waterfall from a completely new perspective.
The Skogafoss Waterfall Way offers incredible views of Iceland’s landscapes and at the top, the path connects to the Fimmvörðuháls trail. This full trek is famous for its difficulty, but the rewards are extraordinary. Stretching 25 km from Eyjafjallajökull to Þórsmörk in the Southern Highlands, it is one of the most dramatic hiking trails in Iceland. Don’t fret if you don’t want to go too far onto the trail because the first 1 km allows you to track the waterflow of Skogafoss, giving you the chance to see many more smaller waterfalls before tracking back and down to sea level.
And we would be remiss if we did not mention the magnificent glacier hikes available in Iceland. The awe-inspiring experience of taking a glacier hike in Iceland cannot be overstated in the south-east of Iceland within the Vatnajökull National Park, and with the beautiful ever-changing Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon nearby, your trip is certain to be a one-of-a-kind memory. Glacier hikes can be amended to have shorter, easier hikes or extended into adventurous hikes into the mountains, or even include a spot of ice climbing if you are feeling up to the challenge.
Hiking in the Southern Highlands
The variety of hiking trails in Iceland’s Southern Highlands is unparalleled. Day hikes offer brief but stunning glimpses of geothermal landscapes, but for those seeking a true challenge, the four-day, 55 km Laugavegur Trail is an extraordinary experience. Crossing glaciers and forests, hot springs and lava fields, each day of the trail feels like stepping into a whole new world.
It is one of the world’s most renowned hikes thanks to its stunning surroundings and remote location. With Hidden Iceland, we offer guests the chance to see the best of the trek while still providing the luxury experience we are renowned for. Therefore, we provide day trips to Landmannalaugar and Þórsmörk, which bookend the Laugavegur trail and showcase some of the most spectacular aspects, allowing our guests the chance to explore the best of the trail while getting their rest at a luxury lodge every night.
Þórsmörk, or the ‘Valley of Thor,’ is perhaps the highlight of the Highlands. To access it you must cross numerous rivers, with some often being too deep for normal 4 wheel drives. Therefore recruiting a local guide to take there in a modified vehicle is best, even in summer when the rivers are often at their lowest. Once there, you’ll walk through birch forests, glacial rivers, and fairytale-like moss-covered gorges. This hidden world feels like a sanctuary, that perfectly blends Iceland’s lush greenery with rugged landscapes, as travel expert Anna Maria Pizzinini explains.
“A place that holds a special place in my heart is Þórsmörk. The tranquility and otherworldliness of the colors, the diversity and the adventurous aspect of reaching it via crossing some rivers or hiking through glaciers and past remote mountain huts is unmatched.”
A hike in Kerlingarfjöll is even more remote, offering cinematic views of snow-capped mountains and bubbling geothermal areas. Few hiking trails in Iceland take you around such striking rhyolite hills in shades of red and orange or along rivers of mesmerising blue.
At the end of the day, you can recharge at the Highland Base Hotel, where luxurious accommodation has never felt cosier. Nestled nicely by some of the wonders of the country, and offering geothermal baths of its own, Highland Base is one of our favourite places for so many reasons and why we partner with them for many of our trips.
Whilst we’re in the south, part of our Hiker’s Paradise trip includes Þakgil, a renowned trial for hikers. An off-the-beaten-track area, Þakgil offers green valleys leading into jagged black volcanic mountains, creating a landscape of striking contrasts and unforgettable beauty.
A secluded sanctuary, Þakgil sits close to natural icons such as the Mýrdalsjökull glacier and the black sand beaches of Vík. It is that rare destination that feels wonderfully hidden yet remains surprisingly accessible. Rich in dramatic scenery but light on tourists, it is the perfect trail for those who want to experience hiking trails in Iceland as if it’s just them and nature.
Þakgil is the kind of place we love sharing with our guests because it truly captures what Hidden Iceland is all about, offering the chance to witness some of the most breathtaking and remote landscapes on earth.
For a hiking trail in Iceland that can offer unparalleled sights alongside luxurious nights, Hidden Iceland can craft an itinerary to your exact specifications. Contact Hidden Iceland today to get your luxury hiking adventure underway.
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